Our Team

  • Raphael Roy Taylor

    Founder and Director

    From a young age, I have been obsessed with art and how it can be displayed and conveyed to the widest audience possible. My work with arts organizations across the UK has made it painfully obvious that the lack of resources in the sector has made it much harder for these organizations to find the talent they need.

    Frustrated by the opaque and difficult task of getting experience in the world of the arts, I founded the Institute to make amazing opportunities available in a far more transparent way.

  • Person in a light pink shirt standing in front of illuminated IKON sign on a concrete wall.

    Maximus Kaius Leighton

    Director of Finance

    My incredible background in the world of student arts, spearheading the newly revitalized Warwick Student Arts Festival, now in its second year and my role as Treasurer for Warwick Tech Crew has, for me, reinforced the value of arts in university life, as well as the skills to ensure such ventures are sustainable into the future.

    The Creatives Institute is so important in bringing these various elements of the arts together into a unified whole, and I’m excited to get on board and guide the Institute to incredible things in the time ahead!

  • Person sitting at an outdoor restaurant table with decorative blue and white plate, surrounded by plants and string lights in the evening.

    William John Moores

    Director of Literature

    I am beyond proud to fulfil the complex and challenging position as Director of Literature. As a prolific writer, editor, and columnist for a nationally awarded newspaper, I will be sure to utilise this experience to secure greater literary opportunities for the Creatives Institute.

    Cicero once said, 'a room without books is like a body without a soul', it is this idea that I plan to take with me in this role, as I breathe greater life into the already flourishing institute, all the while building a better tomorrow for upcoming creatives.

  • Person in a museum looking at a large, framed portrait painting on a wall, with other smaller paintings displayed nearby and a wooden table below.

    Nathaniel Gate

    Director of Media

    With a background in content creation, digital strategy and running my own consultancy- GateMedia- I’ve always been passionate about telling stories that stick, building communities, and using data to make media smarter.

    I’m excited to join the Creatives Institute as Director of Media because I care about making creative work more visible and impactful.

    Looking forward to building something fresh, collaborative and actually fun.

  • Woman sitting at a restaurant table with a stone wall backdrop, smiling at the camera. In front of her is a plate of risotto on a blue dish, with a wine glass and utensils on the table. Other diners are visible in the background.

    Keira Doyle

    Director of Historical Thought

    I am passionate about the role of history in shaping our understanding of the present and the future. As a BA History and French student, I know how crucial historical knowledge is in improving critical thinking and interpretation skills that can be applied to modern professions.

    As Director of Historical Thought, I aim to help humanities students connect with professions such as museum curation, publishing, and other careers based in the industry, and increase awareness regarding historical developments and differing critical opinions.

  • Woman smiling in front of a picturesque canal lined with old European-style buildings on a sunny day.

    Charlotte Heald

    Director of Outreach

    I’m thrilled to bring my unique skillset to the challenging and complex role as Director of Outreach. My experiences as one of the City of Coventry’s youth ambassadors to its twin city, Dresden, impressed upon me the power of reconciliation and collaboration, only strengthened by my time as a Team Captain at the University of Warwick’s Women’s Hockey Club.

    As I go into a year studying abroad in Heidelberg, I am enthusiastic to support the Institute in their mission of making arts opportunities more accessible, across continents.

  • Person wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie, standing in front of a window.

    Elliot Andrew Fox

    Director of Philosophy

    It is an honour to serve as the Director of Philosophy at the Institute, where I am committed to fostering a sense of pride among philosophers and creatives alike in their intellectual and artistic endeavours.

    For the philosopher, the arts are not merely subjects of theoretical inquiry, but essential vehicles for the dissemination of philosophical thought, capable of conveying ideas in ways that are both transcendent and poetically resonant.

  • Young man sitting by a garden pond surrounded by greenery

    Bryn Baber- Day

    Director of Political Thought

    I am eager to take on the auspicious role of Director of Political Thought for the Creatives Institute; the opportunities granted through this position are manifold.

    Engaging with students, academics and other creative minds will allow the Institute to flourish as a centre for unique and critically engaged thinking, and this is something I am keen to partake in through my position. Moreover, I hope to work with other university societies and groups interested in political engagement, participation and discussion, hoping to unleash a collaborative future for the Creatives Institute.

  • Smiling person in a blue shirt standing on a grassy hill with people relaxing and a city skyline in the background.

    Nathaniel Davies

    Director of Visual Art

    Fascinated by the artistic process, I have used my considerable skills to create a diverse range of works on canvas, taking particular inspiration from Caravaggio’s humanisation of religious themes. The modern conception of fine art has increasingly abandoned its focus on honing talent, replaced by more individualistic and less accessible work.

    My work with the Institute is aimed at reversing this trend, shining a spotlight on the elements of the traditional we need to reembrace, all whilst making the art world a more accessible space for diverse art styles. Excited to embark on this journey together.

  • A young woman in a white outfit standing in an ancient ruin with columns and green grass, under a clear blue sky.

    Emily Cornish

    Director of the Classics

    I'm an ancient history and classical archaeology student at Warwick University with a particular love for Ancient Rome!

    I'm interested in working with the Creatives Institute for its aim to help humanities and arts students in attaining internships and opportunities, something I believe there is less of compared to STEM and other subjects like finance and business.

    I'm also interested in the institutions aim to hold a wide range of inspiring and innovative events with all kinds of people and ideas and hope to help include classical studies in all this through my role of classics co-director!

  • Young woman in a red checkered dress sitting at a restaurant table with a plate of risotto.

    Siobhan Bryan

    Director of Global Development

    In my role, I hope to guide students in exploring innovative and emerging professions that are crucial for addressing global challenges.

    My studies in Global Sustainable Development has provided me with the tools to help students navigate the rapidly evolving landscape where sustainability is integral to every sector of society worldwide. I'm excited to contribute to the Creatives Institute's mission, shaping the future by empowering the next generation of changemakers.

  • Smiling person in a blue polo shirt against a gray background.

    Ethan Farmer

    Director of Theatre

    Being part of the Creatives Institute is an extremely exciting opportunity, and I am delighted to be taking on the position as Director of Theatre.

    At Warwick, I have had the honour of serving as Social Secretary for Warwick University Drama Society, as well as a Theatre Ambassador for the School of Creative Arts, Performance and Visual Cultures. Holding these positions have taught me leadership skills and have given me a platform to share my knowledge, and network with many creatives!

  • Woman in a white dress, smiling on a balcony at sunset with ocean view.

    Isabelle Dimascio

    Director of Sustainable Development

    As a student of sustainability, I’m working to raise awareness, promoting environmental responsibility. I'm dedicated to enhancing sustainable practices across the sector, ensuring that we protect and preserve our planet for future generations.

    Whether it's through policy development or community engagement, my aim is to create impactful changes that contribute to a better world.

    This comes a crucial time, as the arts sector pivots toward greater sustainability and I am excited to ensure the Institute stays true to those values.

  • A person standing in front of the illuminated Arc de Triomphe at night in Paris.

    Ainesh Banerjee

    Director of Global Perspectives

    As Director of Global Perspectives at the Creatives Institute, I am excited to contribute to a platform that champions emerging talent in the arts. With a strong belief in the transformative power of creative expression, I aim to bring a global lens to our mission-highlighting the diverse voices, practices, and stories that often go unheard.

    At a time when funding is limited and opportunities remain informal, especially outside major cities, I am committed to spotlighting underrepresented narratives and broadening access to experience-based learning.

  • Young man with glasses in plaid shirt at outdoor event, grassy field with people in the background.

    Otis Rappo

    Director of the Classics

    I've always seen Classics as more than just an academic subject, it's a lens for understanding power, language, and culture across time. It's sharp, relevant, and way more alive than people give it credit for.

    I'm excited to be part of the Creatives Institute because it's about pushing boundaries and making space for people who think differently. For me, this role is about showing how ancient ideas can fuel modern thinking, not just in academia, but in creative industries, strategy, storytelling, and beyond.